Thinking of retirement? If you want a laid back lifestyle in the Lone Star State while also having access to a bustling city, look no further than Fort Worth, affectionately referred to as “Cowtown.” The Fort Worth area – which includes Dallas – is ranked in the top 10 cities on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best places to retire in America. The city received especially high accolades for affordable cost of living and low crime rates.
Fort Worth is a perfect retirement destination. Ready to start house hunting? Below you’ll find a few tips to keep in mind during your search:
Work Out Your Housing Budget Before You Search
One of the major things that could sabotage your house hunting journey is not having a full grasp of your finances and budget prior to beginning your search. You don’t want to fall in love with a house just to find out you can’t actually afford it. Crunching numbers ahead of time can help you avoid this situation and give you a clearer picture of what makes sense for you going forward. Review your 401k or other retirement savings account, check on your eligibility for federal assistance with health care, and review your spending to identify areas where you can cut back.
Additionally, figuring out the tax situation in your preferred retirement state is a critical part of your financial research. The good news is that the Fort Worth area is a very affordable place to live for retirees. According to SmartAsset, Texas is very tax-friendly toward retirees. There’s no state income tax, so you can expect to keep more earnings in your pocket if you continue to work for a while in some capacity after leaving your career. Also, there’s no tax for any form of retirement income – including Social Security benefits or private or public pension income. These tax breaks can generate thousands of dollars annually in tax savings when compared with life in other states.
Find A Retirement Home That Suits Your Needs: Present and Future
Buying a home for retirement is a wonderful opportunity to start a fresh chapter in your life, but you need to keep in mind that the house-hunting process now is different from what you’ve gone through during your earlier years. Factors like your health and ability to safely move through your own home need to be at the forefront of your decision making.
To locate a good home for “aging in place,” you’ll want to target “universal design” homes. Universal design homes are homes that were built with the changing needs of older adults in mind. Amenities usually found in universal design homes include no-step entryways, balancing bars in the shower or walk-in showers, wide hallways, single-story floor plans and low appliances.
Consider the Other Great Living Options in Fort Worth
If buying a home outright isn’t part of your retirement plan, you’ll be relieved to hear that Fort Worth is home to many different senior living options from which you can choose.
One option to consider is a 55-plus living community. Buying a property in one of these retirement developments allows you live independently without having to deal with managing the burdensome and difficult aspects of homeownership, such as keeping up with landscaping, repairing roof issues, and other general property maintenance. Many 55-plus communities also strive to create a social atmosphere for retirees to enjoy, which can be especially helpful if you’re new to the area and want to make new friends and establish fresh routines.
You also have the option of choosing an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities are an ideal option for retirees who you think they’ll need assistance down the road with maintaining their health or even simply moving around. These facilities have professional and trained staff available 24/7 to help you take care of activities of daily living. Getting dressed, preparing meals and managing medications are just a few of the tasks you can expect to receive help with, all of which promote both safety and peace of mind. Interested? Check out the here many assisted living facilities in Fort Worth.
Ready to Move to Fort Worth? Check Out Your Relocation Service Options
Now that you’ve decided downsizing is the best option for you, it’s time to figure out your moving and storage options. In Fort Worth, look no further than Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage! Owned and operated by off-duty professional firefighters, Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage offers a unique moving and storage experience focused on customer service. Our staff focuses on the needs and priorities of our customers while offering high quality, professional moving crews. We can’t wait to work with you!
